The Board has determined that the July 1999 denial of service connection for a right knee disorder is not final, and thus the original claim remains pending. The veteran's left knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 5260. Additionally, the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury, including atrophy, removal or deterioration of a portion of the lateral and posterior menisci, meet the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating under DC 5258.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examination findings supported the application of the schedular criteria for both degenerative joint disease of the left knee and residuals of a left knee injury, including atrophy, removal or deterioration of a portion of the lateral and posterior menisci.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee disorder, headaches, joint pain, irritation of the eyes, chest pain, loss of memory, lack of concentration, depression, sleep disturbance
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2006
- Citation
- 0638593
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0638593.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
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